Coating apparatus



Dec. 19, 1961 A. NOVICK COATING APPARATUS 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Dec.1'7, 1957 INVENTOR ,flgp yyglw N0 V/CK BY W/Nw W 7 ATTOR NEYS Dec. 19,1961 NQVICK 3,013,527

COATING APPARATUS Filed Dec. 1'7, 195'! 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 N V E N TO RHBRMMM No w CK United States Patent 3,013,527 CGATING APPARATUS AbrahamNovick, Flushing, N.Y., assignor to F. L.

Smiths Machine 60., Inc, New York, N.Y., a corporation of New York FiledDec. 17, 1957, Ser. No. 703,333 6 Claims. (Cl. 118262) This inventionrelates in general to viscous material applicators and in particular toa new and useful high speed automatic adhesive or glue applicator,capable of transferring glue or similar viscous material at hightransfer speed rates without clogging the parts or spattering thematerial over the working area and Without heating or whipping thematerial.

This invention finds particular application, but is not limited to,automatic machinery for applying an adhesive gum to envelopes. Envelopesmay be fed at very high rate, and, therefore, the glue applicators forsuch machines must deliver a thin layer of glue to a specific locationon each envelope as it is fed past a gluing station. With automatic glueapplying machines of this type in present day use, great difliculty isexperienced in handling the glue. The glue supplying rollers are rotatedat high speeds in a glue reservoir to feed the glue to fast rotatingapplicators. The rotation of these rollers Whips and heats the gluechanging its consistency and causes the scattering of large quantitiesof the glue about the moving parts of the machine and the working area.This scattering of glue causes the machines, the working space andsometimes the work to become clogged and dirty and requires a costlyshut down to clear away the mess.

In accordance with the present invention means are provided to transferglue, adhesives or similar viscous materials, from a reservoir to anapplicator without wast-- ing any of the material or scattering itabout. Such a machine is capable of continuous long periods of operationwithout shut down for cleaning or to change the adhesive, and theoperation provides for economical but efficient distribution of glue tothe desired area of a rapidly advanced article, such as an envelope.

In an envelope making machine it is important that the applicator supplyonly a very thin layer of glue to each envelope blank. In accordancewith the invention, an applicator die is supplied with an evenlydistributed thin layer of glue for application to each envelope onceduring each die revolution. The glue is supplied from a reservoir to therapidly revolving applicator die by a novel arrangement, including aslowly revolving reservoir roller which picks up glue on its surface,and transfers a quantity of it to a rapidly revolving transfer roller.Only a very thin layer of glue is applied to each envelope.

The slow rotational speed of the reservoir roller has very beneficialresults in respect to the continuous operation of such a device. Theglue temperature is not increased to any extent and evaporation isminimized. In addition, the reservoir roller is rotated slowly enough toeliminate any tendency toward whipping or churning of the glue. Both ofthese etfects prevent undesirable changes in the glue formulation, theformer by cutting down on evaporation and the latter by preventingfoaming or separating of the constituents.

Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide a high speedglue applicating device which will opera te without whipping, heating orscattering glue during its operation.

A further object of this invention is to provide a glue applicatorhaving a novel blade doctor and shielding dev1ce.

A further object of this invention is to provide a glue applicator whichis simple in design, rugged in construction, and economical tomanufacture.

The various features of novelty which characterize the invention arepointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming apart of the specification. For a better understanding of the invention,its operating advantages and specific results obtained by its use, reference should be had to the accompanying drawings and descriptive mattersin which there is illustrated and described a preferred embodiment ofthe invention.

In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a somewhat schematic end view partly in section showing themoving parts of a portion of an envelope machine having a glueapplicator constructed in accordance with the invention;

FIGURE 2 is an enlarged top plan view of the glue applicator shown inFIGURE 1;

FIGURE3 is a vertical section taken along the line 33 of FIGURE 2;

FIGURE'4 is a vertical section taken along the line 44 of FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 5 is a vertical section taken along the line 5-5 of FIGURE 2; and7 FIGURE 6 is a horizontal section taken on the line 66 of FIGURE 4.

Referring to the {drawings in particular, the invention is embodiedtherein on an envelope making machine having means including a series ofrotary feed couples generally designated 10, 12, 14 and 16, foradvancing envelope blanks 18 continuously at a fast uniform speed alonga table support 20 in the direction of the arrows as shown in FIGURE 1(right to left).

The envelope blanks 18 are fed into operative engagement with a rolleror cylinder 21 which is rotating at the same speed as the feed couples10 to 16. Arranged in operative cooperation with, and directly above thecylinder 21, is a segmental glue applicator roller 22 hava ing asegmental glue applicator die 24, which cyclically rotates in contactwith the cylinder 21, and is effective to apply glue in desireddie-outline locations to envelopes being advanced therebetween.Envelopes advanced between the cylinder 21 and the glue, applicator die24 are fed along the table 20 by a cooperating feed couple 26. Envelopesleaving the neck of the feed couple 26 are advanced to other portions ofthe envelope making machine where further operations are there performedIn accordance with the invention, glue is continuously supplied to theperipheral surface of the glue applicator die 24, once during eachrevolution, as it is rotated at the same high linear speed as theenvelope blank is advanced. The glue is supplied in desired quantitiesto the surface of the applicator die 24 from a glue reservoir supply 28.The glue is transferred to the die 24 by means of a slow movingreservoir roller 30 which rotates in a bath of the glue and transfers aquantity of it to the surface of the transfer roller 32, the'transferroller 32, in turn, is effective to distribute a quantity of the gluealong the surface of the glue applicator die 24. The applicator die 24is arranged to rotate in an are bringing its outer surface into contactwith the roller 32 during each revolution.

The driving mechanism and the speed ratios of the drive for the rollers30 and 32 (which will be described more fully hereinafter) are such thatdesired quantities of glue may be supplied to the fast moving glueapplicator die 24 without rotating the reservoir roller 30 at a speedwhich would cause either churning, heating or splattering of the glue.

The glue applicator mechanism is located between two longitudinal framemembers 34 and 36, in which is rotatably mounted, in suitable bearings,a main drive shaft 38. A large driving gear 40 is :athxed to the driveshaft 38 adjacent the frame 34, and it mates with a slightly smallergear 41, afiixed to an applicator shaft 42, to rotate the latter at thesame speed as the roller 21 and the feed couples 10 to 16. Theapplicator shaft 42 is journalled in suitable bearings in the frame 34and 36, and the applicator roller 22 is afiixed to the central portionof the shaft 42.

The gear 41 also mates with a smaller gear 44 to rotate a shaft 48 towhich the latter is aflixed. The shaft 48 is rotatably mounted insuitable bearings on arms 50 and 51 of spaced bearing members generallydesignated 52 and 53, respectively. The bearing members 52 and 53 aremounted at each end of a cross plate 54 which is supported by thelongitudinal frame members 34 and 36. The transfer roller 32 is afi'ixedto the shaft 48 for rotation therewith.

A smaller gear 56 as ailixed to the shaft 48 adjacent the arm 50 and onthe opposite side thereof from the gear 44, meshes with and rotates alarge gear 58 which is affixed to a stub shaft 60, rotatably mounted insuitable bearings on an arm 62 of the Yshaped bearing member 52. Thegear 58 is a double gear having a small diameter gear-portion 64 whichmates with and rotates a large diameter gear 66. The gear 66 is aflixedto a shaft 68 which is rotatably mounted in adjustably-positioned splitbearings 70 and 71 of the bearing members 52 and 53, respectively. Thebearings 70 and 71 are eccentrically mounted so that the portionsholding the shaft 68 may be shifted by loosening a clamping bar 72, 72which is fastened to each bearing and is bolted to respective bearingmembers 52 and 53 by a bolt 73 extending through a slot on the clampingbar. The adjustment is necessary to shift the position of the reservoirroller 30 which is affixed to the shaft 68 for rotation therewith.

The applicator roller 22, the transfer roller 32, and the reservoirroller 30 are of substantially the same lateral dimensions. The roller30 is mounted for rotation in the reservoir 28 and a small area of theroller is always maintained below the surface of a supply of glue 74.From the gear sizes indicated in the drawings (FIGURE '3) it can be seenthat the transfer roller 32 rotates at a faster angular speed than theglue applicator roller 22 having the applicator segment 24. Thereservoir roller 30 operates at much slower angular speed than thetransfer roller 32 and the applicator roller 22. The arrangement is suchthat any tendency for the reservoir roller 30 to splatter glue above themachinery parts is eliminated.

As the reservoir roller 30 rotates in the bath of glue 74, it picks upglue on its surface. In order to prevent excessive pick-up of glue bythe roller 30 and the possibility of splashing, there is provided inaccordance with the invention a substantially U-shaped doctor-blade andshield 75 which is mounted on three hollow cylindrical spacers 76, 76,76 arranged in the reservoir 28. The combination doctor-blade and shield75 fits snugly against the sides and the front of the reservoir roller30 and is in close, almost touching, contact therewith. The combinationdoctor-blade and shield is adjustably positioned adjacent the roller 30and bolted in place on the spacers 76 by bolts 78 which extend throughadjustment slots on the shield and the reservoir bottom and are threadedonto the cross plate 54. The surface of the roller 30 which movesupwardly past the combination doctor-blade and shield 75 carries asubstantial portion of glue on its surface to the transfer roller 32,but a substantial quantity is scraped off and returned to the reservoirby the doctor blade. The transfer roller 32 picks up a quantity of thisglue as the latter is rotated in contact With the reservoir roller butin the opposite direction therefrom (see FIG- URE In order to insurethat the transfer roller 32 does not pick up an excessive quantity ofglue from the reservoir roller 30, nor splatter is about the workingsurface, the invention provides an adjustable transfer rollerdoctorknife and shield mechanism generally designated 80. The adjustabledoctor-knife and shield mechanism 80 includes a pair of spacedsubstantially L-shaped mounting brackets 82 and 84 upon each of which ispivotally mounted substantially U-shaped blade supporting pieces 86 and88, respectively. Affixed to the upper extremity of the U-shapedsupporting pieces 86 and 88 and held therebetween, is a doctor bladeknife assembly generally designated 90, which comprises a knife blade 92which is coextensive with and normally is biased against the surface ofthe transfer roller 32. The doctor blade assembly also includes a sideshielding plate extension 94 which extends laterally from, but in closecontact with, the sides of the roller 32 and is curved at the lowerportion thereof in a direction toward the reservoir 28, in order todirect any surplus glue back thereto.

The doctor blade assembly 90 is biased against the roller 32 by a set ofcompression springs 96, 96 held between the opposite end of theassociated U-shaped pieces 86 and 88 and the face of the cross plate 54.These ends of the U-shaped piece 86 and 88 are drilled to receive a bolt98, 98. The bolts 98, 98 are secured at one end to an associated bracket82, 84 and extend upwardly through an associated slot on the U-shapedsupporting pieces 86 and 88. The force exerted by the springs 96, 96 tourge the doctor blade knife 92 into contact with the roller 32 islimited by a set of wing nuts 100, 100 which are secured to a respectivebolt 98 above the U- shaped supporting piece and limit movement of thearm of the U-shaped piece upwardly under the urging of the spring. Theadvantages of having the roller 30, which initiates the supply of gluefrom the reservoir 28, rotate at a substantially slower speed than theglue applying die 24 are many: First, the slow rotation eliminates thepossibility of the glue mixture being churned or heated to an extentwhich would change its consistency. Further, the slower rotationprevents spiattering and splashing and the resulting mess. The noveldoctor-blade and shield arrangement in conjunction with the slow rollerrotation and the fast transfer roller rotation provides for an effectivemeans for transferring large or small quantities of the glue to a fastmoving applicator. A machine constructed in accordance wit-h thisinvention is capable of operation at extremely high speeds with anenvelope feed of over 800 ft. per minute.

From the foregoing, it will be understood that the apparatus embodyingthe present invention described above are well suited to provide theadvantages set forth, and, since many possible embodiments may be madeof the various features of this invention and as the apparatus hereindescribed may be varied in various parts without departing from thescope of the invention, it is to be understood that all matterhereinbefore set forth as shown in the accompanying drawings is to beinterpreted as illustrative, and that in certain instances, some of thefea tures of the invention may be used without a correspond ing use ofother features, or without departing from the scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. An apparatus for applying viscous material, such as adhesive, toarticles being continuously advanced in succession at high rates ofspeed, comprising a supporting member, an applicator rotatably mountedon said supporting member and having an arcuate outer surface rotatingin substantial peripheral contact with said advancing articles, amaterial transfer roller rotatably mounted on said supporting member andarranged to rotate in substantial peripheral contact with saidapplicator, a viscous material reservoir, a reservoir roller arranged torotate at a relatively slow peripheral speed in relation to theperipheral speed of said transfer roller with a portion submerged insaid reservoir and with a portion in substantial contact with saidtransfer roller whereby said reservoir roller picks up a substantialquantity'of material from said reservoir at its slow rotational speedand transfers a portion of said material onto said transfer roller, asubstantially U-shaped combination doctor blade andv shield mountedabove the nip between said reservoir roller and said transfer roller,including a front portion adjacent the transfer roller to doctormaterial therefrom into the nip between said rollers, side portionsextending on each end of said transfer roller and end shield portionsattached to said side portions.

2. An apparatus for applying viscous material, such as adhesive, toarticles being continuously advanced in succession at high rates ofspeed, comprising a supporting member, an applicator rotatably mountedon said sup-- porting member and having an arcuate outer surfacerotating in substantial peripheral contact with said advancing articles,a material transfer roller rotatably mounted on said supporting memberand arranged to rotate in opposite direction and at substantially thesame surface speed as said applicator in substantial peripheral contacttherewith, a viscous material reservoir, a reservoir roller arranged torotate at a relatively slow peripheral speed in the same direction assaid transfer roller with a portion submerged in said reservoir and witha portion in contact with said transfer roller whereby said reservoirroller picks up a substantial quantity of material from said reservoirat its slow rotational speed and wipes a portion of said material ontosaid transfer roller, a substantially U-shaped combination doctor bladeand shield mounted above the nip between said reservoir roller and saidtransfer roller, including a front portion adjacent the transfer rollerto doctor material therefrom into the nip between said rollers, sideportions extending on each end of said transfer roller, and end shieldportions attached to said side portions.

3. An apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said side portions arecurved and operate to doctor material from the ends of said transferroller.

4. An apparatus according to claim 3, including a doctor blade'andshield supporting arm pivotally mounted on said supporting member, saiddoctor blade and shield being aihxed to one end of said supporting arm,and

resilient means biasing the other end of said arm in a References Citedin the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 577,683 600,191 BuellMar. 8, 1898 904,231 Schou et al. Nov. 17, 1908 1,580,829 Lengel Apr.13, 1926 1,799,769 Thompson Apr. 7, 1931 1,932,727 Faulkner Oct. 31,1933 1,960,228 Milmoe May 22, 1934 2,185,223 Paynter Jan. 2, 19402,198,066 Staude Apr. 23, 1940 2,344,427 Staude Mar. 14, 1944 2,498,667Fischer Feb. 28, 1950 2,579,802 Derderian Dec. 25, 1951 2,690,732 Weberet a1. Oct. 5, 1954 2,821,161 Winkler et al. Jan. 28, 1958 FOREIGNPATENTS 15,439 Great Britain July 11, 1904 458,686 Great Britain Dec.21, 1936 703,932 Great Britain Feb. 10, 1954 Heim Feb. 23, 1897

